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Cumberland University

Ty Buckley
63
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 14-4, 0-2
64
Winner Georgetown GEORGETO 15-3, 0-2
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA
14-4, 0-2
63
Final
64
Georgetown GEORGETO
15-3, 0-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 17 11 21 14 63
Georgetown GEORGETO 13 13 26 12 64

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Campbellsville University (Ky.)

1/22/2026 | 5:30 PM

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Jan. 22 (Thu) / 5:30 PM
 Campbellsville University (Ky.)
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Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Phoenix Drop Heartbreaker to Georgetown in Final Second Loss

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - - Cumberland dropped this afternoon's matchup against the Georgetown Tigers in heartbreaking fashion, falling to free throw in the final second of the game, 64-63.

The Phoenix kept it in Kentucky for the third straight time to start the conference season, taking on the Georgetown Tigers and it would be one of the most exciting games of the season. Cumberland went down 10-2 in the opening moments of the game but a surging defensive effort saw CU push out to a 17-13 lead after ten minutes.

Emaleigh Tarpley led the way with a first half ten rebound performance, aided by a quartet of baskets down low, seeing the lead swap back and forth. Ty Buckley and Julia Varpness both got themselves involved as well with a combined 12 points in the point, showing CU's early post prowess.

With 20 minutes off the clock Cumberland led 28-26, forcing the Tigers into one of their few halftime deficits at home this season, allowing less than 35% of shots to go in for the home side.

The third quarter saw Cumberland push its lead to as many as eight following a Buckley three with 7:51 remaining, but Georgetown responded with a strong run behind Daisy Gale's eight points. The Tigers knocked down four triples in the period and took advantage of a 26-point period to claw their way back into the contest, edging in front 52-49 heading into the final ten minutes.

Cumberland refused to go away in the fourth, leaning on its work on the glass and timely free throws to stay within striking distance. Riley Long provided a spark off the bench with five points in the final quarter, while Braley Bushman added four crucial points to help the Phoenix stay close late. Buckley, who played all 40 minutes, continued to battle inside and finished with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Emaleigh Tarpley added nine points and 11 boards.

In heartbreaking fashion for the Phoenix, the game ultimately came down to a single free throw with one second left on the clock. The Tigers had the ball with 24 seconds left in regulation and after a missed shot, Jordan Day brought the ball in and was fouled in the act of shooting and made one to make it 64-63.

Cumberland finished the afternoon with 36 points in the paint and 19 second-chance points, out-rebounding Georgetown 55-40, but was unable to overcome Georgetown's perimeter shooting and late heroics.

The Phoenix will now look to next Thursday as they will take on Campbellsville in what will be their home opener in conference action.
 
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Players Mentioned

Riley Long

#22 Riley Long

F
6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
Emaleigh Tarpley

#15 Emaleigh Tarpley

G/F
5' 11"
Junior
Ty Buckley

#24 Ty Buckley

G
5' 6"
Senior
Braley Bushman

#1 Braley Bushman

F
5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
Julia Varpness

#23 Julia Varpness

F
6' 0"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Riley Long

#22 Riley Long

6' 1"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Emaleigh Tarpley

#15 Emaleigh Tarpley

5' 11"
Junior
G/F
Ty Buckley

#24 Ty Buckley

5' 6"
Senior
G
Braley Bushman

#1 Braley Bushman

5' 10"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Julia Varpness

#23 Julia Varpness

6' 0"
Freshman
F